Principal Engineer | Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD), FMC, Cloud FMC (Java, IPS, IPsec, DNS, DMZs, NAT, DPI) | Bangalore, 12+ years

Cisco Security Business Group (SBG) is looking for a Principal Engineer in software development in a senior technical role that focuses on providing high-level technical leadership, innovation, and expertise across multiple projects and teams. This role combines deep technical knowledge with a strategic vision for the company’s software architecture and systems. This role is for our Firewall Management Center engineering team. You will be a key technical leader responsible for driving the design, development, and evolution of cutting-edge security technologies that protect enterprise networks worldwide. You will work on Cisco’s next-generation firewall products, including the Cisco Secure Firewall and Firewall Management Center, ensuring they meet the highest standards for performance, scalability, security, and innovation.

Cisco's Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), part of the Security Business Group (SBG), is a flagship security product offering robust protection and management capabilities. Cisco NGFW integrates industry-leading services:

• FTD (Firepower Threat Defense) combines the proven, award-winning ASA Firewall services with the world’s most well-known IPS engine—SNORT, delivering high-performance threat detection and prevention.
• Firewall Management Center (FMC) & Cloud FMC (cdFMC) (the cloud-based SaaS version of FMC) provide centralized management for FTD devices, making deployment, monitoring, and policy management easier and more efficient for customers.

Cisco offers a comprehensive end-to-end security portfolio, covering on-premises, cloud, on-device, and hybrid environments. This flexibility allows customers to select solutions tailored to their immediate needs and seamlessly transition across these environments as their requirements evolve.

With its market-leading technologies, Cisco Firewall holds a leadership position in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Network Firewalls, ensuring that customers have access to best-in-class security across any deployment model—on-prem, in the cloud, or hybrid.

1. Architect and Lead Development: Design and deliver scalable, high-performance features for Cisco Secure Firewall and Firewall Management Center.
2. Hands-On Problem Solving: Solve technical challenges and develop sophisticated security features like threat prevention and automation.
3. Collaborate Across Teams: Work with product, engineering, and leadership teams to align goals and integrate products seamlessly.
4. Mentor and Guide Teams: Provide technical guidance, drive best practices, and cultivate innovation within engineering teams.
5. Enhance Security and Performance: Focus on building secure, high-performing products while addressing risks and emerging threats.
6. Engage Stakeholders: Communicate optimally with collaborators and represent products in customer meetings and industry forums.

• 15+ years of experience in software engineering with a strong focus on network security, firewalls, or related technologies.
• Expertise in designing and developing firewall solutions, security protocols, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), VPN technologies, and network security management.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++, Java, Python, or Go, with experience in large-scale distributed systems.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, IPSec, SSL/TLS, and other networking protocols.
• Deep knowledge of security technologies such as NAT, DMZs, deep packet inspection (DPI), and threat intelligence integration.
• Familiarity with Cisco Secure Firewall solutions and Cisco Firewall Management Center, or similar enterprise-grade firewall management platforms.
• Experience with cloud-native architectures, virtualization, and containerization technologies (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker) is a plus.
• Security Certifications: Certifications like CISSP, CCSP, or similar are highly desirable.

• Strong background in high-performance computing, multi-threading, and low-latency systems.
• Experience in driving product roadmaps and delivering sophisticated security features from design through to deployment.
• Knowledge of SDN (Software-Defined Networking) and next-gen security models is a plus.
• Contributions to open-source projects or publications in security or networking forums

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees’ diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!